Travellers passing through Manchester Airport’s newly transformed Terminal 2 are now being greeted by what the airport itself has described as “a feast of food and drink” — the culmination of a £1.3bn, 10-year redevelopment programme that’s reshaped the way Manchester does airport hospitality.
According to coverage by the Chester Standard, a variety of bars and restaurants have opened across the extended terminal, offering travellers flavours from around the world. The headline addition is The Great Northern Market — the first market-hall-style street food concept of its kind at any UK airport. The food hall can seat 470 customers, with six rotating street food kitchens set around a central dining area, so groups can order from different kitchens and still eat together. Manchester favourite Gooey, known for its donuts and cookies, is among the names involved at launch.
The airport’s own media centre highlights how the new Terminal 2 leans heavily into the city’s heritage, from the worker bee emblem on walls and screens to a giant honeycomb light feature anchoring the departure lounge. The dining and retail offering reflects that, with strong representation from local brands alongside high-street favourites.
Among the local names highlighted by the airport, Salford-based microbrewery Seven Bro7hers operates the Amber Alehouse — its first venture into airport hospitality, which has now expanded as part of the second phase of the terminal’s transformation. The gastropub features a menu of pub grub and global plates alongside its signature beers, with the interior offering nods to Manchester’s music heritage including a Hacienda-inspired design and playlist.
Coffee chain Grindsmith has also opened a unit in partnership with WHSmith, while smash burger brand Archie’s brings another well-known Manchester name into the airport for the first time. Future Travel Experience reports the Great Northern Market is one of more than 20 new shops and restaurants opening in T2 as part of the second phase of the transformation programme.
The wider terminal redevelopment includes The Avenue — a premium boutique mall linking to the existing departure lounge — alongside a champagne bar and brasserie. Once complete, the project will more than double the size of Terminal 2, with Terminal 1 set to close as Manchester consolidates its operations.
According to research by York Aviation cited by Manchester Airport, the airport’s contribution to the Northern economy is expected to rise by nearly 80% to £6.3bn by 2040 as a result of the full transformation programme delivery.
For taxi and private hire drivers running Manchester Airport pickups, the bigger and busier T2 means more passengers — and longer dwell times inside the terminal for those grabbing food before flights, which often translates into pickup runs being timed a little differently than they used to be.
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